French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk to the Hotel San Domenico during the Summit of the Heads of State and of Government of the G7 | Filippp Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images

Trump makes Europe (feel) great again

Europe’s mainstream politicians vow to stick to their guns on Paris and work even harder to save the planet.

The spectacle (and specter) of his chaotic presidency has already given the Continent’s establishment a powerful weapon in the battle against populism, helping centrist, pro-EU politicians ride to victory in a string of elections from Austria to France.

Trump’s decision to ditch the Paris climate deal only cements his reputation in Europe as a danger to the planet, transforming Europe’s newfound air of superiority into a full swagger.

At a time of deep tensions within the bloc over matters large and small, the need to fight climate change is the one issue just about everyone can agree on. Even far-right parties have embraced green themes, recognizing the broad societal consensus.

At a time of deep tensions within the bloc over matters large and small, the need to fight climate change is the one issue just about everyone can agree on.

For Europe’s political establishment, the beauty of Trump’s move is that it further unnerves the Continent’s citizens who are confronted almost daily with updates on the Earth’s pending doom. And nervous voters tend to cling to the center.

Europe’s mainstream politicians seized the moment on Thursday, vowing to stick to their guns on Paris and work even harder to save the planet.

“Paris is not dead,” German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks declared, a sentiment that was echoed across the region.

The irony of the Trump move is that it may end up having little impact on the environment.

And not only because, as European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pointed out Wednesday, leaving will take years.

The main reason is that the president’s power over environmental policy is limited. U.S. states have a strong voice in this arena and in many cases, such as in California, have even stricter standards than Washington. The administration’s decision to leave Paris will have no impact on those regulations.

What’s more, carbon emissions in the U.S. have been falling anyway, and not only because of regulation.

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. dropped by nearly 15 percent over the past decade amid a shift from coal to natural gas and renewables. The fracking boom in the U.S. in recent years has led many utilities to shift investments into cleaner burning, more efficient gas-fired turbines.

Renewables, meanwhile, have also taken off. The fastest-growing job description in the U.S. over the past four years? Solar-panel installer.

While the renewable increase has largely been driven by subsidies that could be cut under Trump, the states also play a role here and offer their own incentives.

What’s more, economic reality — rather than environmental idealism — is what’s driving the renewable push in the U.S., suggesting the boom could continue with or without Paris.

In Europe, meanwhile, which styles itself as the world’s ecological conscience, the picture is murkier than many realize (or want to acknowledge).

Germany’s troubled “energy transformation,” which is designed to wean the country off fossil fuels by mid-century, has caused a spike in coal emissions. Because coal is cheaper than natural gas in Germany, energy producers have relied on coal-burning plants to compensate for the loss of atomic power under Berlin’s nuclear phase-out.

The fastest-growing job description in the U.S. over the past four years? Solar-panel installer.

Renewables account for about one-third of electricity generation in Germany, but coal makes up nearly 40 percent.

As a result, Germany’s carbon dioxide emissions rose slightly in 2016 for the second consecutive year. Many energy experts say Germany is now unlikely to meet its 2020 emissions targets.

German officials insist the increase is only temporary and will be reversed as its energy shift evolves.

Trouble is, no one knows for sure how long that will be. The country has yet to complete a planned power-line corridor to transport electricity from the north, where most of the renewable generation is, to the south, where much of the Germany’s industry is based.

Thanks to the American president, no one is really paying attention.

Though largely symbolic, Trump’s position on climate allows Europe to trumpet its environmental commitments while papering over its shortcomings.

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Europe is becoming to be the leader of the democratic world, morally, economically, culturally…

Posted on 6/1/17 | 10:05 PM CET

Mentar

It’s actually very simple: Europe is rational and science-based, with a much higher emphasis on social conscience. Trumpist America is nationalist, self-centered and hostile to science. And Europe looks at Trumpist America and decides: No, we don’t want that.

It’s sad that we can do very little to get this blight on humanity out of the White House. But maybe our brothers and sisters in America can do something about this. The sooner the better.

Posted on 6/1/17 | 11:50 PM CET

theantiantihero

By his every action, Trump shows himself to be Putin’s puppet. Russia wins two different ways here – they will have the opportunity to sell more of their only real export, plus America’s standing in the world is badly damaged. It really couldn’t be any more obvious that the Kremlin is controlling the White House.

Posted on 6/2/17 | 2:49 AM CET

RuhrDistrict

// Trouble is, no one knows for sure how long that will be. The country has yet to complete a planned power-line corridor to transport electricity from the north, where most of the renewable generation is, to the south, where much of the Germany’s industry is based.
//

Alternative fact, right?

Please do better research.

Just one example:
Its not the industry situated in the south of germany, the grid is needed because of allmost all the nuclear plants are located in the south.

ironworker

Corni

Blinded by extreme liberal/socialist ideology that proved terribly wrong in the last fifty years, Europe leaders are doubling down on an accord that is simply a hot air balloon. Pathetic.

Posted on 6/2/17 | 6:38 AM CET

wow

It’s bizarre how disaster after disaster happens to the EU constantly, but they always feel great about it.

Posted on 6/2/17 | 7:11 AM CET

Mentar

wow: What “disaster” would that be? That the Orange Utan retreated from the Paris accord? That “strong and stable” May is once again too cowardly to take a stance on it?

You’re pathetic, and the world is moving on without you.

Posted on 6/2/17 | 7:32 AM CET

freddie silver

Today’s Reuters on line: Germany’s powerful car industry said Europe would need to reassess its environmental standards to remain competitive after the United States said it would withdraw from the Paris climate pact.
You really mean LOWER the environmental (emission) standards so that car prices stay competitive. Thank you Europe for being so explicit regarding climate change. Your heroic fight against Mr. Trump is already paying off.

Posted on 6/2/17 | 2:48 PM CET

wow

@Mentar. None of the non-eu G7 countries made a statement, not Canada or Japan or UK. We’re out of the EU and we’re behaving like it. Being left behind? Haha… Germany, France, Italy and the EU can stick together. We’ll stick with the rest of the 93% world thanks and leave EU war-mongers to mess it up like they usually do. No other world countries signed Germany/France’s statement.

Theresa May spoke to Trump last night. Did he give old angela a bell. Or Macron? No. Who’s left behind really though? Eu all on it’s own and China STILL have not reciprocated with any EU-China leadership that keeps being trumpeted by the EU. China has said : China will take a lead…….. on their own lol.

BBC news was just discussing how China is taking the lead. China ….. not the EU.

EU looks the joke. Trump pulling out is a disaster for everybody. The EU made it their own personal disaster so they could try and look strong. They just looked weak, trying to hang onto the Chinese coat-tails and self-created a new disaster for themselves.

c. klerk

@wow Japan, Canada, and also China did made a statement against the withdrawal of the US. Even the big pollutor India called it ‘morally criminal’. Russia is one of the few that did not provide a clear statement or opinion.
Please check your facts before you write and post your comments.

Posted on 6/2/17 | 10:04 PM CET

James Engle

If only we could get a threat as insidious and real from outer space, then the whole Earth, even precious U.S., would need to join forces.

Posted on 6/3/17 | 6:51 AM CET

wow

@c.kelek I was talking about the *joint* formal statement with Germnay/France/Italy. Only they made a joint statement. All others made individual comments/statements Canada/Japan/India….None of them joined the ‘joint’ statement. Theresa May spoke to Trump directly on the phone the same night he made the announcement. She made a statement too the next day, relaying what she said on the phone.

If you can’t speak to him in the phone like Germany/France/Italy didn’t…. then the only option left is a formal ‘statement’ to the press. If you speak to him on the phone personally, why would a formal joint statement even be required??

She spoke to him on the phone. Get your head around it. It means more than a silly public relations statement.

Posted on 6/3/17 | 7:04 AM CET

Keevan Morgan

Hey, Angela Merkel’s diplomats just got blown up in Afghanistan.

Tell HER to now prove that she really is the Leader (how do you say that in German, again?) of the Western World and commit the Deutsches Heer to all out victory and finally bring a Western peace to that troubled land, taking all the casualties and spending all the dough to get the job done.

Posted on 6/3/17 | 2:18 PM CET

CapitalistRoader

“The main reason is that the president’s power over environmental policy is limited. U.S. states have a strong voice in this arena and in many cases, such as in California, have even stricter standards than Washington. The administration’s decision to leave Paris will have no impact on those regulations.”

Isn’t federalism wonderful? Europe ought to try it sometime.

“What’s more, carbon emissions in the U.S. have been falling anyway, and not only because of regulation.

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. dropped by nearly 15 percent over the past decade amid a shift from coal to natural gas and renewables. The fracking boom in the U.S. in recent years has led many utilities to shift investments into cleaner burning, more efficient gas-fired turbines.”

Isn’t capitalism wonderful? Europe ought to try it sometime.

Posted on 6/3/17 | 5:13 PM CET

ted peters

We shall see how much swagger they have when Putin’s tank roll across the Ukrainian border.

Posted on 6/3/17 | 6:06 PM CET

Jack Everett

Europe is finding out it can function good without this ass hat Trump and his lackey congress. It’s going to be nice to see this scum rode out of D.C. on a rail. Every time Trump opens his psychotic mouth he puts another nail in the republican coffin.
Jerry Brown of CA is doing the right thing to meet in China now to discuss clean energy and business deals while Trump does nothing but lose more jobs for our people. Their are thousands of green energy jos now and more on the way as green renewable energy takes hold in all areas of the country. Coal will never make a comeback in America and all the coal using countries are taking steps to replace coal use. The end of coal is a big loss for scum like McConnell that supports nothing but lies and his personal greed.
These republican fascists have given the world a wake up call to the treachery they support. The only thing Trump has accomplished is to bring back the name ‘Ugly American.”
The Trump/Russian investigation can’t be finished soon enough and prosecutions should start as soon as the proof is in. Maybe Trump will be placed in a pink jumpsuit in Arizona lol.
I can’t wait to see these Trump subpoenaed deflectors prosecuted for lying under oath.
The Paris agreement will remain strong and most of our states will continue to support it

Posted on 6/3/17 | 7:51 PM CET

About This Section

A year-long series examining the politics and issues driving today's energy and climate conversation in Europe.